What role did your later educational experiences play in where you are now academically? What curricular and extracurricular experiences shaped your outlook, goals and abilities?
With a lifelong passion for science, which dates back to my early childhood, I majored in molecular biology and biotechnology. My personal academic milestone happened while taking a required course, biology of cancer taught by Dr. Kumi-Diaka. I became fascinated with Dr. Kumi-Diaka’s breast and prostate cancer research. Cancer has affected my family – my aunt, great aunt, cousins and grandmother died from cancer. I had personal reasons as well as academic reasons for my interest in cancer research.
To strengthen my commitment, during my junior and senior year, I participated in directed independent studies and honors research thesis in the field of cancer research with Dr. Kumi-Diaka. A large part of my activities involved culturing cancer cells, challenging them with various concentrations of Genistein, a natural isoflavone found in soybeans, and B-lapachone, a plant quinone obtained from lapacho tree. I also performed quantitative as well as qualitative assays, such as the Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme, and MTT assay. LDH assay quantified the amount of dead cells and MTT quantified the amount of live cells. In order to determine if apoptosis have occurred, I isolated the DNA and performed agarose-gel electrophoresis. However, my attempt was not successful. This is how I Learned that performing research is challenging and that we do not always obtain expected results. I expected to observe DNA laddering, which is typical of apoptosis. More importantly, I discovered what it takes to partake in a research project and the discipline it requires. Therefore, my later educational experiences played a major role were I am now academically. I am now working towards my master in biotechnology and my goal is to work in cancer research.
Who were you most influential teachers and why? Dr. Kerr, organic chemistry professor; Dr. Lowell, molecular cell biology professor, and Dr. Kumi-Diaka, biology of cancer professor, are the college professor who have left a major impression on me. All of them have two things in common, enthusiasm & passion for their subject matter. Through their depth of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm, they made their subject interesting and fun for me. I could see their passion through the way they spoke and discussed the subject matter. Dr. Kerr taught the most dreaded course, organic chemistry but his superior teaching techniques made organic chemistry practical and fun. Dr. Lowell made molecular cell biology come alive. We modeled the different phases of meiosis & mitosis. Dr. Kumi-Diaka has been a positive influence in both my academic as well as my professional career. It is because of him that I fell in love with cancer research. He still finds the time to keep in touch. He is truly dedicated to his current and former students.
Since beginnings are always scary, starting my masters in biotechnology was terrifying until I attended my first class taught by Dr. Zielinski. Dr. Zielinski- my current URI clinical biochemistry professor- is absolutely amazing. She is very passionate. She has so much enthusiasm for the subject matter; it is contagious and inspiring. Because of her I now truly love the Kreb’s cycle, ETC, and carbohydrate metabolism. I cannot believe I would make such a statement years ago. I look forward to her class. I would not say the same thing about a former FAU biochemistry professor. The first day of class, the first thing she told us was that she doesn’t get paid to teach but to do research. Maybe this is one reason I do not even remember her name.
I am definitely very blessed to have had professors that nurtured my passion for science and some even made me love topics I never thought I would be crazy about.
With a lifelong passion for science, which dates back to my early childhood, I majored in molecular biology and biotechnology. My personal academic milestone happened while taking a required course, biology of cancer taught by Dr. Kumi-Diaka. I became fascinated with Dr. Kumi-Diaka’s breast and prostate cancer research. Cancer has affected my family – my aunt, great aunt, cousins and grandmother died from cancer. I had personal reasons as well as academic reasons for my interest in cancer research.
To strengthen my commitment, during my junior and senior year, I participated in directed independent studies and honors research thesis in the field of cancer research with Dr. Kumi-Diaka. A large part of my activities involved culturing cancer cells, challenging them with various concentrations of Genistein, a natural isoflavone found in soybeans, and B-lapachone, a plant quinone obtained from lapacho tree. I also performed quantitative as well as qualitative assays, such as the Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme, and MTT assay. LDH assay quantified the amount of dead cells and MTT quantified the amount of live cells. In order to determine if apoptosis have occurred, I isolated the DNA and performed agarose-gel electrophoresis. However, my attempt was not successful. This is how I Learned that performing research is challenging and that we do not always obtain expected results. I expected to observe DNA laddering, which is typical of apoptosis. More importantly, I discovered what it takes to partake in a research project and the discipline it requires.
Therefore, my later educational experiences played a major role were I am now academically. I am now working towards my master in biotechnology and my goal is to work in cancer research.
Who were you most influential teachers and why?
Dr. Kerr, organic chemistry professor; Dr. Lowell, molecular cell biology professor, and Dr. Kumi-Diaka, biology of cancer professor, are the college professor who have left a major impression on me. All of them have two things in common, enthusiasm & passion for their subject matter. Through their depth of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm, they made their subject interesting and fun for me. I could see their passion through the way they spoke and discussed the subject matter. Dr. Kerr taught the most dreaded course, organic chemistry but his superior teaching techniques made organic chemistry practical and fun. Dr. Lowell made molecular cell biology come alive. We modeled the different phases of meiosis & mitosis. Dr. Kumi-Diaka has been a positive influence in both my academic as well as my professional career. It is because of him that I fell in love with cancer research. He still finds the time to keep in touch. He is truly dedicated to his current and former students.
Since beginnings are always scary, starting my masters in biotechnology was terrifying until I attended my first class taught by Dr. Zielinski. Dr. Zielinski- my current URI clinical biochemistry professor- is absolutely amazing. She is very passionate. She has so much enthusiasm for the subject matter; it is contagious and inspiring. Because of her I now truly love the Kreb’s cycle, ETC, and carbohydrate metabolism. I cannot believe I would make such a statement years ago. I look forward to her class. I would not say the same thing about a former FAU biochemistry professor. The first day of class, the first thing she told us was that she doesn’t get paid to teach but to do research. Maybe this is one reason I do not even remember her name.
I am definitely very blessed to have had professors that nurtured my passion for science and some even made me love topics I never thought I would be crazy about.